Dog bite cases are often viewed primarily through the lens of personal injury law. However, every attack is also a potential rabies exposure event. In Pennsylvania, animal control—under the County Department of Health and not the police—determines whether the biting dog might have rabies.
Unfortunately, we are seeing an increasing number of cases where animal control fails to timely inform victims of a dog’s vaccination status. This uncertainty often forces victims to undergo expensive and painful rabies Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) shots as a precaution. In the last six weeks alone, our firm has investigated four new attacks in Western Pennsylvania.
In two of those instances, the dogs were not quarantined to monitor for symptoms, and the victims never received vaccination confirmation, leading to potentially unnecessary medical treatment.
The Reality of PEP
Though effective, rabies prophylaxis is a rigorous process involving the injection of Human Rabies Immune Globulin (HRIG) directly into the wound site, followed by a series of additional shots over multiple days. This treatment is physically taxing and financially burdensome, with costs ranging from $1,200 to $6,500.
This article discusses the causes of these delays and potential solutions.
The Rise of “Anti-Vax” Sentiments
Rabies remains nearly 100% fatal once symptoms appear. Despite its severity, a 2023 survey reported by the New York Times revealed that 52% of pet owners expressed uncertainty regarding the safety or importance of canine rabies vaccinations. This anti-vaccine (or “anti-vax”) shift in public perception increases the risk to society and complicates post-bite investigations.
The Gap in Pennsylvania Law
The Rabies Control Act merely states: “[t]he investigating officer shall be responsible for notifying the bite victim of the medical results of the offending dog’s confinement” (Section 502(a)(1)). By the time this notification occurs, the victim may have already spent ten days without critical information. Furthermore, as our recent cases show, one cannot assume a quarantine will occur at all.
Reporting By Doctors
Fortunately, the law requires health care providers–treating the person bitten by a dog–to notify animal control. See 7 Pa. Code § 16.21. But this does not require vaccination status reporting to the victim.
Thus, while the system allows doctors to make informed decisions about whether rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is necessary, the system only works if authorities can quickly confirm vaccination status, promptly alert the victim, and initiate the observation period.
Structural Challenges in Pennsylvania
This lack of a hard deadline–for animal control to investigate and educate victims–creates structural challenges. Delays are often caused by: - Large Enforcement Territories: State and county wardens cover vast areas.
- Fragmented Authority: Responsibility is split between police, health departments (state and county), and animal control. For this reason, we recommend that you first report the bite to the Commonwealth, then to city or county animal control. For more, click here.
- Lack of Clear Timelines: There is no explicit statutory requirement for rapid record verification.
We have observed these issues consistently across Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, and Armstrong Counties.
Proposed Solutions
- Mandatory Investigation Timelines: Establishing a defined window for victim notification.
- Improved Record Access: Creating a statewide reporting system for quick verification.
- Standardized Reporting: Implementing electronic reporting for medical providers.
- Increased Resources: Providing additional staffing for dog wardens and animal control.
It is a vital conversation for the safety of all Pennsylvanians. Let’s do this!
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